McNeal Elementary TSA students win at competition

East County students catapulted to the top of the class Dec. 5.

During the annual Manatee Technology Student Association (TSA) district competition, which was hosted at Bayshore High School, McNeal Elementary students won first-place for accuracy during the catapult portion of the competition.

Eight elementary schools and 130 students competed in that category, McNeal engineering teacher Denise Touchberry said.

The competition was open to elementary, middle and high school students countywide, so students could show off their technology and multimedia projects. More than 700 students attended and competed in a range of categories, such as structure, water tower, catapult, Leadership Strategies and System Control.

TSA advisor and Haile Middle teacher Maureen Hudson viewed the competition as the official kick off for "TSA season."

"This is a qualifier for us since we have 51 members and we can't take all of them to the state conference," Hudson said in a press release. "I use districts as an opportunity and a way to see who is a true team player, comes prepared and fulfills their community service."

The regional TSA competition also helped prepare students for the state-level competition, which is slated for Feb. 24 through Feb. 27.